Small businesses are the backbone of San Francisco’s economy. Small businesses make this a unique and wonderful place to live; they also make this an economically vibrant City.

• Small businesses in San Francisco employ more than 355,000 people
• More than half of all employees in San Francisco work at a small business
• Local small businesses put nearly 2 ½ times the amount of money back into the local economy when compared to national chains
• Small firms give to charity an average of more than 2½ times the amount per employee than do medium or large firms

If small businesses in San Francisco lost 10% of their income that would mean the loss of $200 million in economic activity and put nearly 1300 employees out of work.

Despite these benefits to our City, it has never been more difficult for small businesses in San Francisco. For years small businesses have simply asked to be left alone by City Government and be allowed to go about their work. Small business can no longer be silent.

Small businesses from all corners of San Francisco have come together to ask for:

Tax Fairness

• The City must increase enforcement of its tax laws. The City is lax in its enforcement of tax laws on businesses that are located outside of San Francisco but operate here
• Give tax incentives to established businesses not just new businesses

Realistic Regulation

• Fast tracking the permits for owner occupied commercial properties that are being remodeled
• Create an education waiting period before introducing new regulations

Encourage small business growth

• Improve the quality of life in San Francisco; clean/ safe streets, address panhandling in commercial corridors and create additional and more affordable off-street parking in commercial corridors
• Use a small percentage of the City’s retirement fund to invest in small businesses
• Provide students in San Francisco schools with the training to work in small businesses
• Require every City Contractor to demonstrate their utilization of local businesses or certified green businesses

Small businesses are vital to the health of our City; we live here and have invested our time and money to make San Francisco a better place. We need your help to create a vibrant and healthy environment for small business in San Francisco.

Please join our effort by donating to the Small Business Advocates. You can learn more about our effort and join us at: http://www.sfsmallbusinessadvocates.org